By Brad Lewis

Steven Adams' career has been the rise the last three weeks, so much so that he is now being talked about as a top-five center in the NBA.

Before game four of the Western Conference finals, Golden State Warriors coach, Steve Kerr, referred to Adams as "one of the top five young big men in the league right now".

ESPN commentator Stan Van Gundy said the 2016 playoffs have been Adams' "coming-out party" during game six of the Spurs' series.

Now Oklahoman basketball writer Anthony Slater has labelled the Kiwi a top-five NBA centre.

Slater told Newshub that Adams has progressed unbelievably in 2016 and has become a key part of OKC’s championship push.

"He's become more athletic, he is great defensively and he's rugged," Slater said.

"He's a central figure now in this playoff run, the fans can relate to him, this part of the country is very much blue-collar and that's exactly what Adams is as a basketball player.

"The mustache, the tattoos, he's really quirky in interviews. He has that New Zealand humor that is rare over here, but more importantly he's become really good and that's what's important to the fans."

Slater believes the way Adams has handled the adversity he has faced in this series has been proof of his development and has endeared him to the fans of both the Thunder and the NBA.

"This series he has become a positive figure, he is at the receiving end of dirty play like the Draymond Green kick in the groin. He's handled it so well, he doesn't retaliate, he doesn't get mad, he just looks super-tough and that comes across well to a lot of people."

Despite Adams rolling his ankle during the first quarter of the Thunders' win against Golden State on Wednesday, Slater said that won't keep him out of game five in Oakland.

"Adams is very much beat up, thumb sprain, back problems, sprained ankle, he maybe a little sore but he will play in game five."